Contrary to what students, and society, are conditioned to think, obtaining a college degree does not automatically result in a job, let alone a dream career. In the last year, alone, half of college graduates are either jobless or underemployed in positions that don’t fully use their skills and knowledge. Authors Tori Randolph Terhune, a gainfully-employed young college graduate herself, and Betsy A. Hays, a college professor, show readers what they can do in college to successfully pave the way for future employment in Land Your Dream Career. The authors provide eleven easy-to-follow strategies for effectively using time on campus to start building a career. Terhune and Hays leads students through content designed to help students set themselves up for success, without focusing on grades or papers. The 11 steps include tips about how students can become experts in their fields, build their brand, get involved in and outside the classroom, allow for wiggle room, network, follow the 75/25 rule (75% thinking, 25% doing) and use new media, such as social networking and blogging, to launch their career. Any student looking for that connection from college to getting to their dream career needs to read Land Your Dream Career. Terhune and Hays make it known that landing a good job is not impossible!

"Coauthored by a former student and her professor, this book provides useful career strategies and advice to current college students. Terhune and Hays have created a very readable work providing straightforward advice; useful anecdotes modeling successful behaviors; helpful tips throughout each section; and a cheat sheet to summarize key points. They discuss the importance of students' cultivating behaviors such as strong communication skills, politeness, honesty, time management, prioritization, integrity, professionalism, goal setting, clarity, and organizational skills. Separate chapters are devoted to networking and using social media. Stories of individuals throughout the chapters illustrate the behaviors and skills discussed. From succeeding in the classroom and obtaining valuable internships to eventually landing a job and developing a career, Terhune and Hays provide excellent, easily digestible advice for the many stages a college undergraduate will go through. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels of undergraduate students as well as general readers." - CHOICE

"Smart authors (and publishers) are recognizing the upside of a not-so-robust economy and the need of young job-seekers to get hired quickly (and, yes, to begin paying off college debt). So why not start the process in college, if not before? California State University at Fresno graduate Terhune and Hayes, her professor, team up to produce a unique take on what freshmen-to-seniors can do now, even before matriculating. Their 11 steps, from “start now” to “put it all together,” reflect a commonsense approach as well as a passion for business. Armed with tips, end-of-chapter summary “cheat sheets,” and success stories to inspire, readers will be truly prepared with the essentials, such as personal branding (which, in three to four words, will project “you” honestly and with integrity and credibility), or innovate to stand out, whether that involves starting a business, traveling, or finding new ways of doing things. Practical and achievable advice." - Booklist

"From the cover blurb and the introduction, this book’s message is clear: a college degree does not guarantee a job after graduation. What makes this title stand apart from others on the same topic is Terhune, a recent college graduate, who writes from her experience and whose budding career underscores the usefulness of her advice. Hays (public relations, California State Univ., Fresno), a student mentor with years of experience, adds a professional viewpoint. Although the book includes basic advice on selecting an institution, program, and major as well as references to coursework and professors, most of the content revolves around activity a student engages in outside of the classroom (personal branding, networking, mastering the elevator pitch). The chapter on career-conscious (and reputation-conscious) use of social media should be required reading for every college student. VERDICT The authors present valuable insight and practical advice in an easy-to-follow format. This title will appeal to the go-getter heading off to college as well as those closer to graduation." - Library Journal